Tiltable reflector



a H. T. PLATZ. 1 UN BLE-REFLECTOR. -APPLICAT'ION FILED NOV. 20, 1920.

v Patented May 23,1922.

lAMiWkQ #ewry T/wwvwu 7 60/62:

.eyebolts to the flange P.

FWD

HENRY T. PLATZ, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO C. M. HALL LAMP ('30., OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN. A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

TILTABLE REFLECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1922.

Application filed November 20, 1920. Serial No. 425,303.

To all whom. it may concern Be it known that l. llnNnY T. PLATZ, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit. in the. county of \Vayno and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Til able Reflectors, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates -to headlights for motor vehicles and has forits object the provision of means for tilting the reflector. It is a further object to obtain a simpleconstruction of mechanical operating means and one which will not distort or in any way injure the reflector or other delicate parts of the device. Still further, it is an object to obtain a simple and inexpensive construction to manufacture, as'hereinaftcr set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical central section wardly projecting lug F forming the fulcrum for a bell crank lever Gr, one arm of which extends in operative relation to a push rod H, slidably engaging a hearing I in the rearward extension J of the bracket A.

\Vithin the housing E isarranged a parabolic reflector K. This is pivotally mounted on trunnions L upon diametrically opposite sides of the casing, which trunnions preferably consist in shoulder screws which engage brackets M secured to the sides of the housing. The connection between the trunnions and the parabolic reflector is formed by eyebolts N engaging the shoulder screws L and having forwardly projecting threaded and pointed shanks 0, which pass through apertures in the outwardly-extending flange P on the reflector. A washer Q and nut R engaging the shanks O serve to clamp the S is a spring washer sleeved upon the shoulder bolt L 'bell crank lever (i and link T.

'normal position of angular adjustment. T

is a link, one end of which pivotally connected to the bell crank lever G, while its opposite end is pivotally connected to a bracket l secured to the lowercentral portion of the flange l of the reflector. V is a spring extending between the pivot pin W. which connects the link '1 to the bracket I and the pivot pin Xwhich connects the bell crank lever (i with the fulcrum lug F.

\Vith the construction as described the reflector K is capable of an oscillatory movement upon the trunnions L and its angular position is determined by the position of the Normally, the tension of the spring'V will hold the bell crank lever against the push rod H, which latter has a head H for engaging the bearing I. If, however. pressureis applied to the rod ll. it will be moved inward and by rocking the bell crank lever G will tilt the reflector.

As specifically shown, the parts are so arranged that the tension of thespring V holds the reflector to the limit of its downward tilting movement. in which position the projected rays of light will illuminate the road in front of the car, but will not extend upward at a sufiicient angle to be objectionable to travelers headed in the opposite direction. To facilitate the setting of this angle. the bearing I is adjustable inthe bracket A. preferably by externally threading it so that it may be screwed inward or outward in said bracket, while the lock nut 1' serves to hold it in any position of adjustment.

The casing E is provided with the usual hinged door. such as Y, which is preferably hinged at Y at the top and is provided at the bottom with a lock. Y The latter is formed by a lug Y projecting forward from the bracket A and downward through a slot in the casing E, said lug being slotted to engage the shank of a clamping bolt and the adjustable nut Y thereof. The lamp socket Z ismounted upon the reflector to be movable therewith and is connected by a flexible conductor Z with the lamp terminal socket C.

To form a finish about the reflector in its various positions of adjustment, the flange P is surrounded by a cylindrical .flange P, which is secured by the screws P to an inwardly-extending flange E on the casing E. The cylindrical flange P extends a suflicient distance to cover the edge of the flange l in its farthest tilted position. This will produce a finish in all positions of adjustment and by making the inner surface of the 'flange either opaque or with a diffusing surface, any glaring upward deflectionof the light therefrom is avoided.

One of the advantages of the construction is that all the parts of the adjusting mechanism are mounted upon the single bracket A so that when once properly adjustedin relation to each other, there is nochance for themto become disarranged; Another feature is that the tension of the spring V, which is employed for actuating the tilting reflector in one direction, does'not produce any stress on said reflector which might tend to distort it from its true-parabolic form.

.Still another feature of advantage is vthe easy means of adjusting the normal position of the reflector, which isaccomplished by loosening the nut I and turnin inward orv outward the threaded bearing This adjustment also permits of setting a pair of lamps so that they will be properly aligned with each other, even where the supporting brackets for said lamps may be out of true alignment.

While I have specifically shown the lamp as held normally to the limit of its downward 'tilting movement, it is obvious that the reverse could be accomplished by suitable modification of the lever connections.

' To facilitate access to the electrical connections at the back of the reflector, the latter canbe readily detached at any time from its trunnions L. Thus by-removing the nuts R and washers Q, the reflector may be'tilted outward, turning upon the pivot lV. In doing this the eyebolts will be frictionally held by the tension of the spring S from angular movements, so that the reflector can be readily re-engaged with said eyebolts when desired.-

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a lamp, the combination with an outer casing, of a reflector therein, a link connected to said reflector for tlltlng the same, trunnions mounted upon the inner walls of said casing forming a pivotal bear-.

. g ing for said reflector, a bearing engaging threaded shank for engaging an aperture in a flange on said reflector, means for resisting rotation of said bearings, and a clamping nut for engaging said threaded shank.

2/In a lamp, the combination with anouter casing, of a reflector therein, mecha nism connected to said reflector for tilting the same and a pivot bearing forsaid reflector comprising trunnions mounted upon the inner walls ofsaid casing, a bearin on each trunnion having a forwardly extending said trunnion having a forwardly-exten ing I threaded shank registrable with an aperture in the flange-of saidreflector, friction means for resisting rotation of said bearing andshank on said't'runnions to hold the samein registration with said apertured flange 7 when detached therefrom to facilitate replacement, and clamping means for engaging said threaded shank to secure the same to said apertured flange'.

3.-In a lamp, the combination with an outer casingprovided with brackets detachably secured upon diametrically opposite Y sides thereof,-of a-rockable reflector within said casing, an eye-bolt detachably secured to said reflector. and forming a pivotal mounting therefor upon said bracket, means for actuating said r efle'ctor,-and means for normally holding the same in predetermined position.

In testimony whereof I' aflix my signature.

HENRY T. PLATZ, 

